*****************************************
The Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Clement Cheung, visited the Lands Department (LandsD) today (April 11) to learn more about the operation of the department and to take the opportunity to meet its staff.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for the Civil Service, Mr Thomas Chow, Mr Cheung first met with the Director of Lands, Ms Bernadette Linn, and the directorate staff. He said he was pleased to hear that the LandsD is striving to achieve excellence in land administration in Hong Kong. Its work includes land disposal, lease modification, lease enforcement, land and squatter control, land survey and mapping, administration of the Lands Department Consent Scheme and approval of Deeds of Mutual Covenant.
Later, Mr Cheung toured the three functional offices of LandsD to learn more about their daily operations. He first visited the Land Supply Section of the Legal Advisory and Conveyancing Office and was briefed by staff on their work in that section which includes processing cases under the Lands Department Consent Scheme and approving Deeds of Mutual Covenant, as well as scrutinising and settling land documents related to redevelopment or conversion of industrial buildings.
Mr Cheung then visited the Estate Management Section of the Lands Administration Office and was briefed by staff to better understand their work in lease enforcement, land control and the processing of New Territories small house applications.
Mr Cheung also paid a visit to the Photogrammetric and Aerial Survey Section under the Survey and Mapping Office. The primary functions of the section are to acquire and reproduce aerial photographs which are used for topographic mapping, emergency survey, evidence gathering, planning and analysis purposes. He said he was pleased to learn that the staff members employ advanced survey technology, including the Unmanned Aerial System and the Backpack Mobile Mapping System, to assist in land administration and surveying.
Before concluding his visit, Mr Cheung met staff representatives of various grades at a tea gathering to exchange views on issues of concern and to learn more about the challenges and difficulties they face in their daily work in serving the community. He praised colleagues' efforts and encouraged them to continue to provide professional services for the greater benefit of the community.
Ends/Monday, April 11, 2016
Issued at HKT 17:40
NNNN